CHILDERSBURG —Police Chief Shane Burnette tendered his resignation to Mayor B.J. Meeks at City Hall Tuesday at about 3 p.m.

Although Burnette will remain on the payroll for two weeks, Chief Investigator Lt. Doug Wesson was appointed interim chief at 5 p.m.

Burnette was appointed chief of the Childersburg Police Department in 2008 and reappointed in November 2012.

Burnette’s tenure as chief has been marked by a high profile shooting involving one of his officers, and the city has witnessed a significant rise in burglaries in the past year. In an effort to offset the increase in burglaries, the City Council allowed Burnette to establish a reserve unit that included emergency response personnel and a curfew was put in place.

Under Burnette’s leadership, the department hired a part-time warrant officer.

Meeks said he had not anticipated the resignation and that Burnette gave no explanation.

Meeks said the council will probably address the issue at its next council meeting on May 7 and will advertise for the position.